This document summarizes research into doctoral candidates' use of online social networks for thesis work. A survey of 38 doctoral students found that while they were interested in participating in a social network, there was a gap between interest and actual usage. Implementing required activities and supporting discussions helped increase engagement over time. The research concluded that social networks can create new feedback loops for students and make online mentoring more engaging and time efficient for both students and professors, but require encouragement and skills training for students to fully utilize.

1. To what extent do doctoral candidates use and benefit from online social networks for their thesis/dissertation work?An investigation into the development and use of a personal learning environment/social network for doctoral mentees Presented at ECER: Vienna, Austria 28/Sep/2009, 4:00pm - 5:30pm Network: 16. ICT in Education and Training

2. Abstract Article Highlights PLEs/social networks provide new forms of feedback loops. Data show student willingness and interested in participating in such a network but there is a gap between that and logged activity. Implementing and supporting networked activities makes online mentoring more fun, interesting as well as time efficient for both students and their professors.

3. This research centres on the hypothesis that:“If they need it, they will learn to use it, and will come.” A self-study

4. Context: The places online doctoral students interact with each other and mentors Attwell (2009): What is perhaps surprising is that the educational paradigm has been so successful in shaping the adoption of education technology

5. Online theoretical context Siemens, G. (2005), Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Granovetter (1973, 1982) The Strength of Weak Ties

6. Builds on writings on PLEs & PAR Wilson, Liber, Johnson, Beuvoir, Sharpies & Milligan (2006) James, Milenkiewicz & Bucknam (2009), Zuber-Skerritt & Perry (2002),

7. The Doctoral Process: Navigating the Tension Between Transformation & Creativity and the Daily Challenges of Life Online education has grown because it is 24/7 Group Genius, Sawyer (2007) ties creativity to group work My personal tension is that what I like best is that creative moment in groups How to foster that online?

8. Demographics of Participants N = 38 Of those 24 took the survey (63%) 13 male & 11 female 1: 20-29 yrs 7: 30-39 yrs 10: 40-49 yrs 6 : over 50 yrs

10. What questions do students have?

11. What topics get repeated?

12. What is general to all students, vs. specific to special interests?

13. What special interests emerge?

14. Students have much in common and PLEs provide new forms of feedback loops

15. Students appreciate having tools available when they need them 24/7

16. While data show students interested in networks, it is helpful in building them to require participation

17. SIGs showed the most spontaneous use and growth

18. Cross university conversations aided by discussion forums- FAQs

19. Social Network Log data show some spontaneous work after 4 months

20. Online meetings provide the most direct positive feedback

21. Three stages of development

23. Findings Do they want it? Yes, but most are not comfortable with it. Will they use it? Yes, with encouragement, and some with spontaneity What do they/I like about it? 24/7 access Time efficiency SIGs Online meetings create deeper understanding and economy of scale

24. Conclusion: It’s a Win/Win Situation PLEs/Social networks create new forms of feedback loops Students need to learn skills of use/not for everyone It makes mentoring more fun, interesting for everyone We all should consider how/when we want to make use of new tools – otherwise profs and HE will soon be obsolete.

25. www.reinventinglife.org

26. CMS: Joomla Social Network Component: JomSocial

27. Web Conferencing: www.dimdim.com

28. www.reinventinglife.org http://www.slideshare.net/alanajames http://www.youtube.com/FuturesOfEducation http://www.vimeo.com/alanajames alana@reinventinglife.org